Tools of the Trade: Class of 2028 - Hit Tool
February 5, 2026
In the world of baseball scouting, few tools are as elusive—or as essential—as the hit tool. Historically, it’s been the heartbeat of a player’s offensive profile, representing their ability to consistently make quality contact, control the strike zone, and adjust to all pitch types. Long before exit velocity and bat speed became household metrics, legends like Tony Gwynn and Ichiro Suzuki were celebrated for their uncanny ability to “just hit”—spraying line drives to all fields with surgical precision. Scouts have always known power may dazzle, but the hit tool sustains.
Today, in the Northeast, a new crop of hitters is redefining what it means to possess a high-level hit tool. These players aren’t just racking up batting averages, they’re combining elite bat-to-ball skills with modern metrics like sweet spot percentage, average exit velocity, and pitch recognition. From compact swings that minimize miss zones to advanced plate discipline that belies their age, these prospects are proving that the Northeast isn’t just a cold-weather region, it’s a hotbed for hitters who can flat-out rake.
 |
Connor Bresler OF / RHP / Delbarton, NJ / 2028The 6-foot-1, 190-pound outfielder was a standout performer at the East Coast Super Sophomore Games last summer. Bresler displayed above average barrel control and adjustability at the plate. He possesses a combination of situational hitting and moving the runners with a power. He has produced a max exit velocity of 96.4 mph and max distance of 358 feet. Bresler is an all-around hitter that is just scratching his potential.
|
 |
Julian Martinez C / 3B / The Stony Brook School, NY / 2028Martinez is the number 2 overall player in New York’s 2028 class. He has a 5-foot-9 and 158-pound frame that packs a massive punch at the plate producing a 98 mph exit velocity and an impressive 90.4 mph average exit velocity. Martinez has an efficient swing that covers the entirety of the zone. He maintains good posture and body control while producing hard-hit baseball all around the yard.
|
 |
Tyler Ryan OF / RHP / Malvern Prep, PA / 2028Ryan was a top performer at last summer’s East Coast Super Sophomore Games. The electric, uber athletic outfielder was driving baseballs into the gaps for base hits and extra base hits all weekend long against competitive competition. Ryan has extraordinary feel for the barrel while not limiting his power at the plate producing a 97 mph exit velocity with 100 percent sweet-spot percentage.
|
 |
Luca Catanzarite SS / 2B / Immaculata, NJ / 2028Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 2
Catanzarite is a top of the order bat that can affect the game in many different ways. He is a smooth operator in the batters’ box with a free flowing swing. He produced a max exit velocity of 96.8 mph and a max distance of 351 feet at last summer's East Coast Super Sophomore Games. Catanzarite was barreling baseballs all weekend during the ECSSG against top of the line competition.
|
 |
Colin Raymond OF / C / The Stony Brook School, NY / 2028Raymond is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound left-handed hitting outfielder that absolutely lit up the Prep Baseball tournaments circuit, especially in Lakepoint against some of the top talent in the nation. He keeps his hands quiet and then he explodes onto the baseball when he pulls the trigger on his swing. While utilizing his long levers, Raymond maintains to have a quick and turn barrel turn that allows for barrel accuracy.
|
 |
Landon Trout OF / RHP / Pottsville Area, PA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 43 / POS: 6
Trout is a prototypical bat-to-ball, top of the order hitter that can spray the ball all around the baseball field. He has been lighting up the statistic box score all of last summer with base hits and extra base hits. He has a direct bat path that will produce high batting averages. He’s produced a 94.4 max exit velocity that translates into gameplay.
|
 |
Mikey Angelo SS / 3B / Gloucester Catholic, NJ / 2028Rankings StateRank: 29 / POS: 6
Angelo is a scrappy hitter that fights to win every pitch. He utilizes a full field approach where he can poke the baseball down the right field line with 2 strikes and can drive the ball into the left-center gap for a double in a 2-0 count. Angelo is a wiry mover that produces exit velocities up to 89 mph and a max distance of 337 feet. The Gloucester Catholic product looks to build off his impressive freshman campaign.
|
 |
Scott Hutton C / 1B / Bethlehem, NY / 2028Rankings StateRank: 17 / POS: 4
The East Coast Super Sophomore Games alum is one of New York’s top hitters in the 2028 class. This left-handed hitting catcher hits from a wide base and delivers his hands directly to the baseball. He worked the baseball up the middle consistently on a line and flashed the ability to back-spin the baseball to the pull-side gap.
|
 |
Michael Schaffer RHP / 3B / Episcopal Academy, PA / 2028The 6-foot-2, 195-pound two-way prospect is one of the notable bats in the eastern region of Pennsylvania. Schaffer had displayed a good feel for the barrel during Prep Baseball tournaments and showcases. He can drive the baseball gap-to-gap with authority for extra bases with his 96.3 mph max exit velocity. Schaffer is a player to keep an eye on this upcoming high school season.
|
RELATED CONTENT